Customer Reviews

English Grammar For Dummies

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The attempt to amuse with silly examples wears thin after a while. That accounts for the four stars instead of five.

I bought it because it is required for a class I am taking. It explains English grammar clearly and simply. Short chapters and large type make this a 384 page book. It's equivalent to maybe 200 pages of a regular book. We are using it with the workbook, and they complement each other well. If you are really just reviewing your grammar, you might try getting just the workbook, which does have quick explanations at the beginning of each group of worksheets. The workbook also has correct answers for all of the worksheets, with explanations of why those answers are correct.

I think I slept through grammar, which was taught somewhere in my K-12 years, because I remember very little of it and had no real knowledge of things like gerunds or dangling participles. For me the book and workbook combo are working nicely.

Normally, I like "Dummies" books. Normally, I have no problem finishing a "Dummies" book. This is only the second time I have stopped reading a "Dummies" book before reaching the end...way before reaching the end. Like all grammar books, this one uses examples to illustrate the grammar rule being taught. Examples are crucial to teaching English grammar. Unfortunately, the examples in this book used such odd names, and had such odd events happening, that it was impossible for the reader to concentrate on the grammar rule being taught. While one certainly did not expect Ms. Woods to use names like Dick, Jane and Sally, one also did not expect to be constantly bombarded with names like Blathersby, Rugelach, Legghorn, Rumpus, Eggworthy, Grunhilda, Murgatroyd, Ludmilla, Ruggles, Ratrug, etc. (Although, Ratrug would be a very nice name for a ferret.) And what were some of the things our handsomely named individuals were doing? Oh, let's see: "Ledmilla's continual attempts to impress Ludwig were fruitless, including the fruit basket she sent him on Monday and the piranha she Fed-Exed on Tuesday." Or: "Shakey said that he had tossed the salad out the window. It hit a pedestrian, who sued for lettuce-related damage."

Who in the world was Ms. Woods thinking of when she wrote this book? Obviously, not individuals who failed to learn proper grammar in school, and are desperately trying to learn it now; or immigrants trying to learn proper English; or individuals reviewing grammar rules, because their middle-aged brain is kicking out so many of those rules. I particularly feel sorry for those who got this book to read aloud to someone trying to learn grammar. Oh well, maybe this book keeps bored English Lit. majors from falling asleep. I personally can't help but view it as an "exclusive" type of grammar book--not one for the average person. Or maybe it is simply silly. Whatever it is, you might want to try instead: "The Writer's Digest Grammar Desk Reference", Spiral-bound, (2005) by Gary Lutz and Diane Stevenson.

(This review was for the 2001 edition of "English Grammar For Dummies". One can only hope a new editor saw the problems with the 2001 edition and suggested changes for the 2010 edition; but one seriously doubts that, considering the way the book publishing world is these days. Apparently, a great number of the truly good book editors have either retired or died!)

I do not have very good grammar, as you may notice from my review, but believe me my grammar was a lot worse. The book is easy to read and good reference to keep. I am not a native English speaker but now I know many rules that natives don't know. Thanks to Ms. Woods. Now I have more confident when I speak or write way better than before. Actually, many of the rules make sense, Ms. Woods made them that way, the writer of that book nows how people think and what is the next question that come to your mind; therefore, she answer you questions if you keep reading. I recommended the book to other friends and I recommend it to you too. Fun and easy to read.

I am currently taking a class called "advanced syntax an rhetoric" which is as horrifying as it sounds. This book has really helped me understand all aspects of a sentence, from the basics to the advanced. It's an easy read and uses sentence examples that are relatively complex (not too complex...after all it is a book for high school students)which is great, because those simple 5 word examples we always get from other books are completely worthless when you start having to analyze sentences with multiple nouns, verbs, appositives, infinitives, and prepositional phrases. So, in short, I suggest this book for everyone.

If you want a grammar book written in the minimalist style of Elmore Leonard, with the off-beat humor of Sarah Vowell, look no further. The 2nd edition (2010) has been updated to incorporate rules for texting, emailing, and blogging. As a college English instructor, I don't even crack open the grammar sections of the writing textbooks assigned for my courses. I structure all my instruction around Woods' books.

This is a great book if you have trouble with grammar. My daughter uses it for essays and it has come in handy.

My husband is an English teacher, and he references this book sometimes when coming up with lesson ideas for his high school students. This is a great resource for anyone who wants to brush up on their grammar.

Horrible. First and second chapters, It was more complicated and hard to read.
I recommend a book called " Painless Grammar " by Rebecca Elliott, Ph.D. It was fun and quick learning book.

The book is the best English Grammar book I ever read. I recommend this book for everyone wants to learn or improve a grammar.

I bought this book for my mother in law and I hope to God she reads it.
As with most For Dummies books it is easy to read and written so any
third grader could understand it.